Mounties have defeated the NZ Warriors in round 9 of the VB NSW Cup with a solid 42-22 victory at the iconic Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday.
The Warriors got off to a great start scoring tries in the 9th and 16th minute to lead 12-0 before Mounties were able to find some rhythm to post two tries in the 25th and 32nd minute to level the scores at 12-12.
The first of Mounties tries came via Matt McIllrick who took his opportunity close to the line and forced his way through the defensive line to go over with Mitch Cornish converting to make it 12-6 and then Mosese Pangai levelled the scores when he found space through a disorganised Warriors line with Cornish again adding the extras to make it 12-12.
Mounties then had to withstand a determined Warriors attack in the dying minutes of the half and were able to do so and go to oranges locked up at 12 all.
The second half started with a bang for Mounties with Sami Sauiluma scoring in the corner off a set scrum play, with Cornish missing the conversion Mounties led 16-12, and a few minutes later Sauiluma was in again after Pangai scooped up a loose pass and sent it out to Sauiluma who did the rest to make it 22-16 after the conversion.
In the 50th minute Mounties were in again when Jake Foster crossed the line after receiving a nice ball from Mitch Cornish to go over however the conversion sailed wide and Mounties led 26-12.
Sauiluma then made it three tries for the day in the 65th minute when he sliced through the line to score near the posts to give Cornish an easy conversion, Mounties leading 32-12, and two minutes later Sami had his fourth try of the game after Foster busted the line and found support for Sauiluma to cross in the corner and the lead extended to 36-12 with 12 minutes to play.
Mounties weren't done though and in the 70th minute Mitch Cornish put up a pin point bomb for Jeremy Hawkins to pluck out of the air and he literally fell over the line to score and make it 42-12.
Mounties had the game wrapped up with six minutes to go however the Warriors were able to score two scrambling tries in the final minutes to make the final score 42-22 at the final bell.
Mounties have the bye next week in #VBNSWCup and will return home to Aubrey Keech Reserve on the 24th May when they take on the Bulldogs.
#UpTheMulga
